VAPAM(R)
ZENECA INC.
Wilmington, DE 19850
Phone (24 hr.) Technical:(302) 886-3000Medical:(800) 327-8633Chemtrec:(800)
424-9300
Reference No.: 3579
Issue Date: 8/16/96
Rev.: E
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 1. NAME & HAZARD SUMMARY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Material name: VAPAM(R)
***Hazard summary (as defined by OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR
1910.1200):
Physical hazards: None
Health hazards: Corrosive (skin), irritant (eye, respiratory passages),
harmful (oral), possible animal carcinogen.
Read the entire MSDS for a more thorough evaluation of the hazards.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 2. INGREDIENTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
% OSHA PEL
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Active ingredient: 32.7 Not listed
Sodium methyldithiocarbamate
(Metam Sodium; CAS 137-42-8)
Other Ingredient 67.3 Not listed
-------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Ingredients not precisely identified are proprietary or nonhazardous.
Values are not product specifications. ca = approximately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3. PHYSICAL DATA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boiling point: 230F, 110C
Vapor pressure (mm Hg): 21 at 77F (25C)
Miscibility: Miscible with water
Viscosity: 4.7-5.0 cp
pH: 9.0-10.5
Specific gravity: 1.16-1.18 at 68F (20C)
Physical state/description: Light yellow liquid
Odor: Strong, sulfur-like
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 4. FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flash point (and method): >200F, 94C (Tag CC)
Autoignition temperature: No data
Flammable limits (STP): No data
Fire hazard: Not defined as flammable or combustible. However, the product
may support combustion under fire conditions and decompose to give off
toxic materials.
Firefighting technique: Products of combustion are irritating to the
respiratory tract and may cause breathing difficulty and pulmonary edema.
Symptoms may be delayed several hours or longer depending upon the extent
of exposure. As in any fire, prevent human exposure to fire, smoke, fumes
or products of combustion. Evacuate nonessential personnel from the
fire area. Firefighters should wear full face, self-contained breathing
apparatus and impervious protective clothing. Use standard firefighting
techniques to extinguish fires involving this material - use water spray,
dry chemicals or carbon dioxide. If not leaking, keep fire-exposed
containers cool with a water spray to prevent rupture due to excess of
heat. High pressure water hose may spread product from broken containers
increasing contamination or fire hazard. Contaminated building, areas, and
equipment must not be used until they are properly decontaminated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 5. REACTIVITY DATA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stability: Stable under normal conditions. Prolonged exposure to air will
result in gradual decomposition, to form methyl isothiocyanate (MITC),
which is poisonous. In poorly ventilated areas or confined spaces, MITC
may reach unsafe levels. Use of full face, air-supplied or gas mask-type
respirators would be required under these conditions.
Incompatibility: Corrosive to brass, copper, zinc and aluminum. The
product may soften or discolor iron. Steel and stainless steel are the
preferred materials of construction for process equipment, storage and
shipping containers. The product is not compatible with acidic solutions.
If acidified, toxic hydrogen sulfide gas may form.
Hazardous decomposition products: Methyl isothiocyanate (MITC).
Hazardous polymerization: Will not occur.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 6. HEALTH HAZARD ASSESSMENT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
General: This description of toxicological properties is based on
experimental results and experience with the material.
Ingestion: The acute oral LD50 in rat is 1.294 g/kg in males and 1.428 g/kg
in females. A single dose of this product is classified as "slightly toxic"
by ingestion.
Eye contact: This material was mildly irritating in rabbit eye studies. A
similar degree of irritation will probably occur after human eye contact.
Skin contact: This material was severely irritating in rabbit dermal
irritation studies. A similar degree of irritation or burns may occur
after human skin contact. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause a
hypersensitivity-type dermatitis.
Skin absorption: The acute dermal LD50 is 1.012 g/kg in rabbits. This
material is classified as "slightly toxic" by skin absorption. A single
dermal application of 794 mg/kg produced a mild to moderate decrease in
physical activity with no mortality.
Inhalation: The acute inhalation LC50 is greater than 4.7 mg/L in rats.
Vapors and aerosols can irritate eyes, nose and respiratory passages.
Other effects of overexposure:***Laboratory studies have shown some
developmental and carcinogenic effects in laboratory animals. Exposure
monitoring studies conducted during normal agricultural applications of
metam sodium have shown that human exposure is extremely low; therefore,
any potential risk to humans from metam sodium exposure is considered
minimal. Laboratory tests in animals have shown that exposure to the active
ingredient in this product, followed by ingestion of alcohol, may cause
an adverse reaction, including low blood pressure, rapid heart beat, and
flushing of the skin. Consumption of alcohol during and after exposure to
this product should be avoided.
FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
General: If a known exposure occurs or is suspected, immediately start the
recommended procedures below. Simultaneously contact a Poison Center, a
physician or the nearest hospital. Inform the person contacted of the type
and extent of exposure, describe the victim's symptoms, and follow the
advice given.
Skin: Wash material off of the skin with soap and plenty of water. Get
medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing and decontaminate footwear
before reuse.
Eyes: Immediately flush the eyes with large quantities of running water for
a minimum of 15 minutes. Hold the eyelids apart during the flushing to
ensure rinsing of the entire surface of the eye and lids with water. Do
not attempt to neutralize with chemical agents. Obtain medical attention
as soon as possible. Oils or ointments should not be used at this time.
Continue the flushing for an additional 15 minutes if a physician is not
immediately available.
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Give 1 or 2 glasses of water to drink
and refer person to medical personnel. (Never give anything by mouth to an
unconscious person.) If vomiting does occur, give fluids again. Have a
physician determine if the condition of the patient will permit induction
of vomiting or evacuation of stomach.
Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air. Consult medical personnel if a
cough or other respiratory symptoms develop. If not breathing, give
artificial respiration, preferably mouth-to-mouth. If breathing is labored,
give oxygen. Consult medical personnel.
Thiocarbamates have been shown in laboratory animals to cause a disulfiram
(ANTABUSE(R))-type reaction in combination with alcohol.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 7. SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steps to be taken in case material is released or spilled: Make sure all
personnel involved in the spill cleanup follow good industrial hygiene
practices. A small spill can be handled routinely. Use adequate ventilation
or wear an air-supplied respirator to prevent inhalation. Wear suitable
protective clothing and eye protection to prevent skin and eye contact. Use
the following procedures:
1.Spread a suitable absorbent such as clay on the spill, and shovel into an
open drum.
2.Generously cover the contaminated areas with common, household detergent
(e.g., TIDE, registered trademark Proctor & Gamble Company). Using a
stiff brush and small amounts of water, work the detergent into the
remaining spilled material forming a slurry. Brush the slurry into cracks
and crevices and allow to stand for 2-3 minutes. Be careful to completely
avoid skin or eye contact. Do not splatter on oneself or bystanders.
3.Spread absorbents on the slurry liquid and shovel mixture into the open
drum.
4. Repeat #2 and 3 if necessary.
5. If practical, flush the area with water to a sewer serviced by a
wastewater treatment facility.
6. Seal drum and dispose of contaminated material in a facility permitted
for hazardous waste. Large spills should be handled according to a spill
plan. Otherwise, in case of emergency call, day or night, 800-424-9300,
CHEMTREC.
Disposal method: This material is toxic to fish. Do not contaminate
waterways by cleaning of equipment or by disposal of wastes. Untreated
effluent should not be discharged where it will drain into lakes, streams
or ponds.
This product contains Metam Sodium (CAS 137-42-8), and effective August
9, 1995, EPA has classified Metam Sodium, when discarded, as a hazardous
waste, number U384.
Container disposal: Empty container retains product residue. Observe all
hazard precautions. Do not distribute, make available, furnish or reuse
empty container except for storage and shipment of original product. Remove
all product residue and puncture or otherwise destroy empty container
before disposal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 8. SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TLV(R) or suggested control value: No ACGIH TLV or OSHA PEL assigned.
Minimize exposure in accordance with good hygiene practice.
Ventilation: Use local exhaust if aerosol is generated.
Respiratory protection: Where adequate ventilation is not available, use
NIOSH-approved full-face pesticide respirators to reduce exposure. Where
potential exposure under the use conditions necessitates higher level of
protection, use a full-face positive pressure air supplied respirator.
Protective clothing: Take all precautions to prevent skin contact. Use
gloves, arm covers and apron determined to be impervious under the
conditions of use. Additional protection, such as full body suit and boots,
may be required depending on conditions.
Eye protection: Chemical tight goggles and full faceshield.
Other protective equipment: Eyewash station and safety shower in work area.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 9. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS OR OTHER COMMENTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special precautions or other comments: Prevent skin and eye contact. Avoid
breathing vapors or aerosols. Do not store near feed, food, or within the
reach of children. Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from
flammable materials and sources of heat and flame. Exercise due caution to
prevent damage to or leakage from the container.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 10. REGULATORY INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) Regulations, 40 CFR 710: This product
is a pesticide and is exempt from TSCA regulation.
CERCLA and SARA Regulations (40 CFR 355, 370, and 372): Section 313
Supplier Notification. This product contains the following toxic chemicals
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 313 of the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 and of 40 CFR 372: 32.7
Metam Sodium (CAS 137-42-8)
The product contains 32.7% of Metam Sodium (CAS 137-42-8) whose reportable
quantity is currently set at one pound.
EPA Registration No.: 10182-00150
The information herein is given in good faith but no warranty, expressed or
implied, is made.
***This line or section contains revisions or new statements since the last
issue date.